How to Dress Your Body Type

Determine your body type

Determining your body type is tricky since many people have body dysmorphia. To accurately determine your body type ask someone to help you. Determining your body type helps you choose clothes that make you feel more confident and comfortable. It’s NOT meant to lead you to be self-conscious or critical of your figure.

The ideal body shape varies from person to person. Your ideal body shape is the one you have naturally. The body you were born with, without diet, exercise, or spanks! 😉

Now that you have determined your body type take a look at the most flattering clothes and accessories.

Apple Body Type

Apple shapes should accentuate their busts, great legs, and arms. Draw attention away from the tummy area by staying away from structured waist lines.

Jeans and Pants: Anything really since this shape has killer legs! Stay away from high waists which draw attention to the tummy area.

Dresses: This shape lends itself well to looking good in many dress styles. The most flattering choices are strapless, maxi with low necklines, and wrap dresses. Those with great legs should go mini, if not try knee-length shift and sheath styles.

Accessories: draw the eye up and down with longer length accessories or keep it light and delicate. Large accessories bracelets, earrings, and rings are good to draw away from fuller areas.

Jackets: It’s all about where the hemline hits. Vests, coats, or jackets that hit at the hip or upper thigh work well. A-line coats or straight, knee-length trench styles (no waist belt) are flattering. Ponchos are great too.

Pear Body Type

Pear shapes look fantastic in bold tops that highlight their small upper body. The key is to elongate and camouflage the hips.

Tops: Get wild with bold colors, prints and styles. Plunging V-necks in any silhouette, cowl necks, scoop necks, and bell-sleeves are flattering styles.

Jackets: A-line and princess cut jackets with waist-length jackets with any outerwear that hits mid-thigh is flattering. Also, boxy cropped cuts can work.

Jeans and Pants: Subtle, dark colored bottoms to balance out the bold tops and camouflage larger bottom. Boot cut and flares are this shape’s best denim choice.

Dresses: The options are almost limitless. The best necklines are dropped and embellished. Open backs, dramatic sleeves and belted styles will accentuate the slender upper body of a pear

Accessories: Statement/chunky necklaces that hit above the bust are perfect. This body shape is one of the few that can rock a wide brimmed hat. Heels help elongate legs.

Hourglass Body Type

The hourglass shape should define their waist and show off lady shape. This shape should embrace their curves and small waist.

Tops: Fitted tops are the best. Form-fitting jersey knits, wrap tops, peplum blouses, tailored tops with room for large chest, and anything with a V-neck, round neck, or boat neck are flattering. Structure works wonders!

Jeans and Pants: High-waist, long flares and skinny jeans or leggings are a great way to show of curvy hips and tapered legs.

Dresses: This shape can rock any dress. To highlight this shape’s small waist and curves add belts to flowy dresses.

Accessories: Skinny waist belts are super flattering and almost every necklace works. Purses with little structure play nicely with this shape’s curves.

Rectangle Body Type

The rectangular shape is athletic and needs help accentuating legs and creating curves to a rather straight frame.

Tops: Draw attention to the toned, muscular upper body. Halter and racerback styles are great as well as scoop/round necklines or strapless anything. Show off the toned arms, wear puffed or rolled sleeves.

Jeans and Pants: Keep balance in mind. If a loose top is worn pick tight fitting pants and vic versa. Mid to low-waist pant styles work best.

Dresses: Style is chosen based on what feature this shape wants to accentuate. Great legs? Then wear something short.

Skirts: Crossover, flip, paneled, and A-line

Accessories: Wherever the athletic shape wants to draw the eye is where the statement accessory should be! Straight, rectangular bags.

Lean Column Body Type

The lean body shape needs to create the illusion of curves. Wearing bulky textures and prints helps. Shapes that hang look good on the top

Tops: For those with a long torso layering is a must. All necklines work well and sleeves that add volume are flattering. Tops that shorten the top half and add volume are the most flattering and create the illusion of curves.

Jackets: with waists/belt any details such as pockets, shoulder pads, lapels, etc. Shoulder pads give extra width, creating the illusion of a waist.

Dresses: Princess line with curved darts and details as well as wrap and empire line are flattering.

Skirt: Slight A-line, pencil, flip, bias, or wrap.

Jeans and Pants: Skinny or boot leg jeans. Pants with details and color will add volume and curves. Stick with narrowing, tapered, culottes, capris or shorts for silhouette.